A US Navy ship’s recent appearance near the coastline of the Philippines could be an attempt to track Chinese submarine movement in disputed waters and also signal Washington’s unwavering support for its longtime ally over the deployment of the Typhon missile system, according to observers.
In the early hours of December 29, the USNS Victorious was identified near Luzon island, according to SeaLight director and retired US Air Force Colonel Ray Powell, days after Beijing warned Manila against retaining the Typhon stationed in the Philippines since last April for joint military exercises.
The American surveillance ship is usually deployed for underwater surveillance and…